A road trip through Sweden in miniature
On this road trip through Dalsland, wild landscapes sit alongside old industrial sites given imaginative new lives, stately manor houses, art, culture, and plenty of places worth stopping for. The province may be compact, but its forests, lakes, characterful accommodation, and restaurants rooted in their surroundings make the journey feel much bigger.
Journey length: 334 km, over 4 days. Or slow the pace and stay a few days at each stop.
Recommended periods: spring, summer and autumn
Remember to: check opening times before your visit
Take your time - stay a few days at each stop.
Unique experiences are never far apart in Dalsland, and choosing a favourite may be the hardest part. This suggested route begins at Baldersnäs Manor, beautifully situated on a peninsula in Lake Laxsjön.
Stop 1:
Baldersnäs Herrgård
Your first night is at Baldersnäs Herrgård. The Baldersnäs estate bears witness to former mill owner Carl Fredrik Waern’s interest in English landscape design. You can stay in the manor house itself or in one of the wings overlooking the lake. Wherever you choose, old-fashioned charm is delightfully combined with modern comforts.
Stop at Håverud
On your way to Baldersnäs, stop at Håverud, home to one of Sweden’s most remarkable feats of 19th-century engineering. Here, boats cross the rapids in a 33.5-metre riveted metal trough, while road and railway bridges pass overhead, creating a spectacular meeting of waterway, road, and rail. You can discover more about this extraordinary construction at the Canal Museum.
A stone’s throw from the aqueduct is Håveruds brasseri, where fish is smoked in the restaurant’s own smokery. Enjoy it on the quayside or inside the old workshop – either way, it makes for a memorable stop.
Check in and enjoy dinner at Baldersnäs
Spend some time exploring the lovely park around Baldersnäs, then unwind in the manor’s sauna and hot tub, with views across the lake and surrounding countryside.
Round off the day with dinner in the hotel restaurant, where the menu follows the seasons and makes good use of local produce. And if you enjoy locally brewed beer, you’ve come to the right place.
Stop 2:
Start the day in Fengersfors
Start your second day at Not Quite in Fengersfors, a thriving cultural centre in and around an old paper mill, where artists, craftspeople, and designers have their studios. Explore the exhibitions and shop, then stop for something homemade in the café and bistro or visit the bakery for freshly baked bread and fika.
Travel on to Upperud
A 30-minute drive south of Not Quite is your home for the next two nights, Upperud 9:9. This former grain silo has been transformed into a small hotel, with striking rooms that retain much of the building’s industrial character.
Visit Dalslands konstmuseum
Dalslands konstmuseum is a lovely place to spend the afternoon. Set on a hilltop in Upperud, the long red museum building echoes the area’s industrial heritage and houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Stay for coffee at Museicafé Bonaparte and take in the fabulous views across Lake Spången.
Back at Upperud 9:9, there’s time to relax before dinner in the hotel restaurant. The rustic, seasonal dishes draw inspiration from the forest and lake, using ingredients from local growers and producers. Think Swedish home cooking with flavours from around the world.
Stop 3:
Take it easy
Back at Upperud 9:9, there’s time to relax before dinner in the hotel restaurant. The rustic, seasonal dishes draw inspiration from the forest and lake, using ingredients from local growers and producers. Think Swedish home cooking with flavours from around the world.
Stop 4:
Explore Halle and Hunneberg
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to head south towards Trollhättan. On the way, we recommend stopping at Ecopark Halle and Hunneberg, with its spectacular scenery of cliffs, deep ravines, gnarled oaks, and royal history. To find out more about the area’s flora, fauna, and past, fit in a visit to the Royal Hunt Museum, Kungajaktsmuseet Älgens Berg.
Continue on to Trollhättan
Trollhättan is a small city that has grown up along the Göta River. Time your visit well and you may see the sluice gates at Trollhätte Falls open, releasing an astonishing 300,000 litres of water every second in a thundering cascade.
The Älvrummet nature reserve links the falls with Trollhättan’s historic locks and has plenty of walking trails to explore. If you’re travelling with someone special, follow the Love Path, Kärlekens stig, which runs alongside the river. Afterwards, mooch around the cafés and shops in the centre before checking in at Albert Hotell.
Set high above the river, most of the hotel’s rooms overlook the falls and the city. In the evening, you need go no further than the hotel restaurant, where modern Nordic dishes are served with clean, simple, and assured flavours. A lovely end to several inspiring and restful days.
Journey length: 334 km, over 4 days. Or slow the pace and stay a few days at each stop.
Recommended periods: spring, summer and autumn
Remember to: check opening times before your visit